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Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth Program

Age:

14 (and under) & 15 with birth date cut off defined by national rule (currently April 30)

Philosophy:

The Babe Ruth 14/15 Program participates in the Dane County League and has both state and national affiliations. Depending on the number of registered players, the League Director will determine the number of teams that will be formed. A number of options are available including Majors and Minors levels at each age group, and a combined 14/15-year-old team. The Majors program requires additional fees and a major commitment by players and parents. The Majors team will participate in the highest league level that Dane County offers, as well as weekend statewide tournaments including the state tournament. The Minors program will require less commitment from players and parents and no additional fees. The Minors team will play in a less competitive Dane County League and will enter in one or two area tournaments. The 14/15 team will require additional fees and a modest commitment level. The team would play in a League that consists of teams from western Dane County and Iowa County and will enter one or two area tournaments including the state tournament if desired.

Season:

The season begins in late May. Games are Monday and Thursday evenings beginning at 6 PM in most cases. Teams will practice 2 to 4 times per week prior to the season starting and then usually once or twice during the season. Two league games are played during the week. These teams will participate in weekend tournaments as the league schedule permits. The Dane County League is completed the 2nd week in July. All Dane County teams have an open invitation to advance to the State Tournament which is usually the 3rd week in July. State Tournament winners advance to the Ohio Valley regional tournaments held in late July and early August. Regional Champions advance to National Championships held in late August.

Team Composition:

Players are selected for the Majors team through an evaluation process. Player placement on Major and Minor teams will be based on evaluation performance and commitment level. Participating in the evaluations does not guarantee that a player will be placed on the Majors Team. If it is determined by the evaluators and the league director, that the player will be more successful on the Minors team, the player will be assigned to that team. Players that prefer to play on a Minors team will be placed on that team as long as the number of participants determines that a Minors team will be formed. The evaluations are held in early March in order to meet state and national deadlines for submitting rosters. Teams will have a minimum of 12 players and a maximum of 15 players on their roster. Teams are allowed to add players to complete a maximum roster of 15 for the post season. The added players may be from other Middleton teams or League teams.